Promote:
Invest in Zimbabwe
A short guide for companies expanding into Zimbabwe: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Zimbabwe at a glance
Population
17 million
Zimbabwe's population was 16,950,795 people in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Zimbabwe population, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$51.2 billion
GDP was US$51.22 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Zimbabwe GDP, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$3,021
GDP per person was US$3,021 in current dollars in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Zimbabwe GDP per person, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growthEstimate
8.1%
Real GDP growth was 8.1 percent in 2025, the World Bank's estimate.
Source: World Bank WDI, Zimbabwe real GDP growth, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Inflation
4.3%
Annual inflation measured in the ZiG was 4.3 percent in October 2026, from ZIMSTAT's ZiG consumer price index.
Source: ZIMSTAT, ZiG consumer price index, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 2026
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$965 million
Foreign direct investment inflows were US$965 million in 2025, from UNCTADstat.
Source: UNCTADstat, foreign direct investment inflows, Zimbabwe, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the Zimbabwe Gold, called the ZiG.
Source: IMF, Zimbabwe 2025 Article IV staff report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 2, 2025
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
ZIDA is the national investment promotion agency, set up under the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency Act.
Source: ZIDA, about ZIDA, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
ZIDA's one-stop investment services center brings officials from 12 ministries, departments and agencies together.
Source: ZIDA, investor services, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Reserved sectors are set by Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025, which the ministry says designates 21 sectors.
Source: Ministry of Industry and Commerce, reserved sectors, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
ZIDA lists six publicly owned special economic zones.
Source: ZIDA, special economic zones, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Zimbabwe
- Register the company; a foreign company lodges its charter and forms with the Minister, who forwards them to the Registrar of Companies.Registrar of CompaniesZIDA lists a flat fee of US$1,100 for a foreign company.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ZIDA, establishing a business, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Register for tax with ZIMRA on the REV1 form and receive a Business Partner Number.Zimbabwe Revenue AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ZIMRA, REV1 and REV2 registration, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Decide whether to apply for a ZIDA general investment license, which is a choice rather than a requirement.Zimbabwe Investment and Development AgencyUS$577.50 application fee and US$4,620 license fee; ZIDA says licenses are issued in under 7 days.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ZIDA, establishing a business, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Use ZIDA's one-stop investment services center to learn which sector licenses and permits your activity needs.Zimbabwe Investment and Development AgencyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ZIDA, investor services, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 2 more set-up steps
- If the activity is in a reserved sector, apply for an exemption certificate or permit.Ministry of Industry and CommerceOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ZIDA, quarter four 2025 report, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Apply for an investor residence permit or a temporary employment permit for foreign staff; ZIDA lists the requirements and the application letter addressed to the CDI.Zimbabwe Investment and Development AgencyOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ZIDA, establishing a business, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with ZIDA and ZIMRA. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
Investment promotion agency
ZIDA
Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency
Licenses investment, runs a one-stop investment services center, regulates special economic zones and reviews public-private partnerships.
Visit ZIDA (opens in a new tab)Source: ZIDA, about ZIDA, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Central bank
RBZ
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
Sets monetary policy and the exchange-control framework, and lists authorized dealers and capital-flow rules on its site.
Visit RBZ (opens in a new tab)Source: Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe home page, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 4 more organizations
Government ministry
Industry and Commerce
Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Sets industrial and commercial policy and handles reserved-sector applications under Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025.
- Meet requirements
Competition and tariff regulator
CTC
Competition and Tariff Commission
Reviews mergers and competition matters and handles tariff-related applications.
Visit CTC (opens in a new tab)Source: Competition and Tariff Commission home page, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Find finance
Development finance institution
IDBZ
Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe
Provides project and infrastructure finance.
Visit IDBZ (opens in a new tab)Source: IDBZ home page, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
Public procurement regulator
PRAZ
Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe
Regulates public procurement and registers suppliers.
Visit PRAZ (opens in a new tab)Source: PRAZ home page, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Tax and customs authority
ZIMRA
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority
Clears goods, registers exporters and goods under trade agreements, certifies certificates of origin and registers taxpayers.
Visit ZIMRA (opens in a new tab)Source: ZIMRA, origin and preference, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Research markets
Regional economic community
SADC
Southern African Development Community
Regional body
Publishes the SADC Free Trade Area's customs and rules-of-origin material, including an exporters' guide.
Visit SADC (opens in a new tab)Source: SADC, customs pillar, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Research markets
Regional economic community
COMESA
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
Regional body
Runs the simplified trade regime that lets small cross-border traders clear listed goods duty free with a simplified certificate of origin.
Visit COMESA (opens in a new tab)Source: ZIMRA, COMESA Simplified Trade Regime, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Horticulture industry association
HDC
Horticultural Development Council of Zimbabwe
Serves horticulture exporters and publishes a catalog of trade members.
Visit HDC (opens in a new tab)Source: HDC home page, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Manufacturers' association
CZI
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries
Represents manufacturers and publishes economic research.
Visit CZI (opens in a new tab)Source: CZI home page, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
- Get advice
Mining industry association
Chamber of Mines
Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe
Represents mining companies that are its members.
Visit Chamber of Mines (opens in a new tab)Source: Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe home page, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Small-enterprise membership body
SME Association
SME Association of Zimbabwe
Offers networking and training to small and medium enterprises.
Visit SME Association (opens in a new tab)Source: SME Association of Zimbabwe home page, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Get advice
Small-scale mining federation
Miners Federation
Zimbabwe Miners Federation
Represents artisanal and small-scale miners and offers training, market linkages and advocacy.
Visit Miners Federation (opens in a new tab)Source: Zimbabwe Miners Federation home page, current page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
The IMF calls the monetary system highly dollarized, with the ZiG about 17 percent of monetary aggregates; ZiG inflation was 4.3 percent in October 2026.
What to do: Agree the invoice currency, settlement bank and conversion basis in writing before you contract.
Sources: IMF, Zimbabwe 2025 Article IV staff report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab); ZIMSTAT, ZiG consumer price index, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Climate and water
Agriculture is 17 percent of GDP and 40 percent of exports, and rain-fed systems are exposed to droughts linked to El Niño, says the World Bank.
What to do: Prepare for drought with more than one source of supply, and check insurance cover.
Source: World Bank, Zimbabwe Economic Update, January 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Reserved sectors
Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025 designates 21 reserved sectors: 13 exclusive, four open above thresholds and four added sectors.
What to do: Test your activity and beneficial ownership against the instrument before you choose an entry structure.
Sources: Ministry of Industry and Commerce, reserved sectors, current page (opens in a new tab); ZIDA, quarter four 2025 report, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Electricity
The World Bank puts the cost of power shortages at 6.1 percent of GDP a year.
What to do: Audit your load and power quality, and ask the energy regulator about licensed solar and storage.
Source: World Bank, Zimbabwe Economic Update on electricity, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more
Public debt and arrears
The World Bank says external and overall public debt is unsustainable, with total public debt at 38 percent of GDP in 2025; the IMF notes domestic arrears keep building.
What to do: Price payment risk when the counterparty is public, and use security or insurance where you can.
Sources: World Bank, Zimbabwe country overview, current page (opens in a new tab); IMF, Zimbabwe 2025 Article IV staff report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Zimbabwe with other countriesSet Zimbabwe beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:Zimbabwe is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.